The 'official' word is that the general wanted the Marines to 'look like their Afghan partners' and that the general wanted one weapon policy for the tent. Who gives a shit that the Afghans don't come armed? Sure, sir, it had nothing to do with that shooting last week. Since when does the United States Marine Corp care about blending in with foreign soldiers?

In the mother of all humorous comments that say everything and nothing at all, the sergeant major that was ordered to clear the tent of weapons said,

“All I know is I was told to get the weapons out,” he said. Asked why, he replied: “Somebody got itchy — that’s all I’ve got to say. Somebody got itchy. We just adjust.”

Whether it was an actual order from somewhere above the general, or just the general attitude of our leadership, it doesn't really matter. Both are equally disappointing and embarrassing. Some might argue that it has been far too long since a president with past military service was in office. I don't know that the service component is a necessity, but there certainly needs to be an appreciation and understanding for the training, valor and honor possessed by the vast majority of our fighting men and women. Unarming them so that they blend in is counterproductive and dangerous.